Wicked Edge GO Precision Knife Sharpener - WE60

Reason for one star review is purely because I received a used item that had presumably been returned. Not acceptable when paying full price so returned and purchased elsewhere (Heinnie Haynes) and I am delighted with that one!

My wife sent me to a knife sharpening class a few years ago in the futile hope of having sharp knives. The class taught me the basics of high end whetstone knife sharpening. Unfortunately it's such a pain and a mess that I didn't do it often enough to become proficient, and when I did spend the time I had trouble getting a sharp edge. The problem with whetstones is that you never quite know whether it's your angle, your technique, or you just need more time per stone for a given knife. This is even worse with high-end knives made from very hard steel... Recently, I decided to try again, and after a bunch of research I bought the wicked edge we60. Long story short, a bunch of our knives are extremely sharp now, even some of the harder steel versions, and I'm writing this review. Marital harmony has been restored. Caveat being that I would recommend getting a digital angle gauge, the 800/1000 grit stones (extra $$), and maybe a cheap leather strop (no need to get the expensive WE version). After sharpening a few knives with the included 200/600 grit stones, they were obviously sharper than when I started, but not "wave it at a piece of paper and it falls to the floor in ribbons" sharp. After I got the 800/1000 stones and the strop, they are really that sharp. The benefit of this kit over whetstones is that it takes the technique guesswork out of the equation -- I know that every stroke is the same angle, so if I'm having trouble creating a burr, I just need to keep going, it's not a failing of my technique. It still takes a bunch of time per knife, btw, at least for a new user. Don't believe the videos that show sharp knives in 10m... I was able to fully re-profile and sharpen a softer knife in about an hour, but a better (harder steel) knife took longer than that. Possibly more practice or maybe the 100 grit stone would have helped, but it seems silly to buy that for something you really only need to do the first time. For those new to knife sharpening, just make sure there's a full length heel-to-tip burr on both sides on the first stone and you won't have any problems. Watch some videos and read the WE forum to understand the geometry of the thing for different shaped knives as well. The one issue I had was that the plastic shim that holds the bottom of the metal rod fell out after my first use and I lost it. Turns out there's a reason that they ship the unit with white plastic balls holding everything in place. Keep either the balls or the rods in place at all time to avoid this issue. WE was great, btw, they immediately shipped me new shims under warranty. Have fun!

This system i have been looking at for 14 years and could not pull the trigger on it due to price. bought an inferior system to prove the concept a few years ago finally just said bugger it and purchased it and wow no disappointments we60 base is a billet piece of material and looks perfect. just wow wow wow!!!!! basic stones that come with the we60 can get amazing results push cuts through paper and hence have gone and purchased 100/200 800/1000 1500/2200 and 2/4 micron emulsion with a set of strops cant wait to have my mind blow and of course will wanna buy more!!!! crazy price but a worthy investment if you like perfection.

Very excellent knife sharpener, with accurately marked guide rods that make it easy to use. I wish that the item came with a better instruction guide. The use of YouTube videos is versatile and I appreciate their function, as they can be adapted based on customer feedback over time for safety and accuracy, but after the initial set-up video, one has to search around for them and hopefully play them in order to get the best results. I used this on several knifes now, ranging from hunting knives, pocket knives, kitchen knives and I am pleased overall with the results. They are very sharp knives now. I purchased an extra set of stones (1500/2200) for refining the edge on the kitchen knives, which I especially find satisfying. The accuracy of the guide rods especially is a great point for me. One of the issues I had was that the tip of longer knives, like my chef knife, would bend away from the stone, which I fixed with placing the knife in the vise back further and putting less pressure on the stone. The stone can do the work without extra pressure. Overall this puts on a fine edge. I do want to get a good strop to finish honing the edge.

great product for the person who needs the practice and time taken out of successful knife sharpening. I’ve tried almost all so called knife systems and this one actually does what it’s supposed to. It’s a bit pricey but “buy once cry once” as you will love your sharp knives and will forget the price longer after enjoying your sharp knives. Bought the WE60 as I will only use it every now and then.